What happens when people stop skimming, stop reacting, and actually listen?

My guest is Bunni Pounds, and we’re talking about America Reads the Bible—a major public event in Washington, D.C. happening April 18–25, 2026, with an opening celebration on April 18 and a full week of public Bible reading at the Museum of the Bible from April 19 through 25. The event’s official materials describe nearly 500 readers and more than 475 leaders, with the reading livestreamed nationally on Great American Pure Flix.

But this conversation is about more than one event.

We talk about why reading great books still matters, why ancient texts still shape modern lives, and what happens to a culture when people lose the habit of reading deeply. We talk about the Bible not only as sacred Scripture for millions, but also as one of the most historically influential texts in the world—one that has shaped language, literature, art, ethics, and public imagination for generations.

We also talk about the importance of honoring the Hebrew Scriptures—not as a mere prelude, but as ancient, sacred writings treasured in Jewish tradition for millennia, carrying memory, poetry, lament, covenant, wisdom, and hope. This is a conversation about history, heritage, reverence, and why reading foundational texts out loud still matters in a distracted age.

And yes, this is a big event. Public materials for the opening celebration name Patricia Heaton, Candace Cameron Bure, and Cameron and BJ Arnett, while broader event coverage also names readers and participants such as Danny Gokey, Meredith Andrews, Chonda Pierce, Kathy Ireland, Jen Lilley, Kevin Sorbo, Colton Dixon, John Cooper, Kim Walker-Smith, Leeland Mooring, Jennie Lee Riddle, Dallas Jenkins, and Andy Erwin.

It’s thoughtful, rich, historically grounded, and deeply timely.

We would love to hear from you!

This week on The Heather Petero Show, Heather sits down with her dear friend Cathy Semeria for a conversation that is honest, strong, and deeply encouraging—especially for parents who have lost a child.

Cathy shares the story of her daughter, Christina “Tini” Semeria, who died in a tragic auto accident in 2016—an event that became national news at the time. But this episode isn’t about headlines. It’s about a daughter’s life, a family’s lived experience, and the kind of faith that can hold both grief and joy.

We talk about:

• Who Tini was (the real her—full of personality, faith, and creativity)
• How a parent survives the unthinkable
• Why joy isn’t the same as happiness—and how joy can still exist in sorrow
• Tini’s original song “Be Still” and why her voice is still speaking
• Warrior Moms: community for grieving mothers, plus the book Grieve Like a Mother, Survive Like a Warrior
• What’s next: Tini’s 7th Annual Spark in the Dark 5K and how you can show up, donate, go virtual, or volunteer

If you’ve ever loved someone through grief and felt helpless… this episode is your “do-something” moment.

Get involved / learn more:
Tini’s music + blog + legacy: https://christinasemeria.org/

Warrior Moms: https://warriormoms.me/

Spark in the Dark 5K registration: https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Athens/TiniSemeriaSparkintheDark5kWalkRun

Instagram: @cathysemeria | @tinisparkinthedark

Until next time—stay creative and live on purpose.

We would love to hear from you!

In this episode of The Heather Petero Show, Heather sits down with Hall of Fame, multi-platinum Nashville Row songwriter Bernie Nelson for a conversation that pulls back the curtain on the songs we love—and the lives, moments, and unexpected turns that shaped them.

They talk about what it really takes to write something that lasts, why so many people misunderstand who actually writes the songs, and how originality survives in a world that constantly rewards imitation.

Bernie also shares from his book Honky Tonk Angels, giving a glimpse into the unseen side of country music—the writers, the rooms, and the stories that don’t always make it into the spotlight.

It’s honest, thoughtful, and full of the kind of perspective you only get from someone who’s lived it.